Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-04-14
'GYP'S" DECLARATION.
An Announcement Of independence
and It's Consequences

AN Announcement OF Independence
and It's Consequences
"An' 1 say, Jeremiah, it shall never
be kept here"
"Well. well, Katherine. I'll ride over
and ask the minister to tea, an We'll
go by his judgement in this matter, but
it does appear a pity to put as clipper
a lookin' gal as that in the poor
house,
The bone of contention in the Blym
household was a babe that Pete, the
farm hand, had found. cuddled in a
blanket, sound asleep under the willow
hedge. Where it came from. or who
it belonged to, no one knew; and for
years the birth and parentage of the
founding remained a mystery.
The minister expressed the same
opinion the farmer had, that it was a
pity such child should be left to the
county poor.
'.Aye, Sister Blym," he exclaimed,
''charity will bring a sure rewardr'
And SO ''Sister Blym," for the sake
of standing well with the minister,
kept the child. What should it be
called was the next query; and as no
one suggested better name, because
of her jetty hair and quaint. droll
ways the farmer dubbed her Gypsey,
which was soon abbreviated to Gyp.
No motherly love did Gyp receive.
but as soon as her childish hands had
strength, labor was required, and from
the farmers wife came never-ceasing
refrain of the child's unworthiness.
"Gyp! Gyp! it does beat all! Ez l was
tellin' Jeremiah, she don't earn her
salt. Where is the gal, anyhow" And
arms akimbo she stood in the doorway
CHANGING in all directions for the one
Just called.
Bounding up path which ran from
the rear of the house TO the ridge of
wide-spreading oaks that gave the
name to the farm came the truant,
with dishevelled hair and torn dress,
with shoeless feet, who, despite her
smbrowned limbs and untidy appear
ance, looked SO picturesque with her
bright eyes and flushed cheeks that one
would have turned instinctively for a
second glance.
''Gypw sounded from the inner re-
gions, "where have you been?' was
the querulous greeting as she entered
the foor. up to Shelbyville, OF
course!'
..No. l was not" she answered. with
an effort at self-control. "Is it likely
I'd go in this dress?' glancing at her
tattered garb.
.'Oh, it's more finery. is it! Now. il
you was my Sophronia Ann, with a
schoolmaster for beau. you might ask
for better fixin's. but I'll teach you to
be satisfied" And the strong hand OF
the woman came down in rapid blows,
not the first the poor girl had received
in her young life. Are you shocked.
kind reader? Gyp is a character drawn
from life, and we. knowing the hard
ness and bitterness of her earlier years,
rejoice at the sunshine that came later.
But. contrary to all prior experience
of Mrs. Blym. the young girl. who
heretofore received the unjust punish
ments with the stolidity of an OK, now
turned like a tigress. and. with such
swift dexterity that they could not be
avoided, rained blow after blow upon
the eyes. mouth aud temple of the in
furiated woman.
''Helpr' she called. realizing for once
in her life she was getting the worst OF
q bargain.
what is the matter?' asked So.
phronia, appearing upon the scene. but
before a reply was given the farmer en-
tered.
What now?" said he. seeing the
signs of unusual turmoil depicted upon
the faces of all present
''Oh, Jeremiah exclaimed his wife,
''Gyp will be the death of me yet.
Look at my face! and it's all your
fault, Jeremiah. for you're always
takin' her part agin me-"
Farmer Blym carefully scanned his
wife's countenance, then. turning t<
the perpetratOr of the deed. who stood
with quivering limbs and flashing eyes,
asked:
What have you to say. Gypsy?
had not expected this of YOU"
"What have l to say? Muchr' and
It seemed to the lookers-on that the
''foundling," rs she had often beer
tauntingly called. arose inches in
height and years in womanhood
''This woman has abused me for the
last time: henceforth / receive ?rope,